Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-02
The Interstate Commerce Bill,

To tic EditOr Of the Dispatch:
There seems to be a misunderstanding
ON the part of certain boards of trade of
the effect of the fourth section of the
Interstate commerce bill upon the rail-
roads, as well as upon the business of
the seaboard cities. They assume that
it will injure the business of the latter
because it Will operate to compel rail-
roads to charge such high rates from
distant to the terminal and competitive
points that it will practically amount to
q prohibition or an inland embargo-at
least, it will work diversion Offreights
to other points. Now let us look into
the provisions of said section, known
famiharly as the "short-haul " section,
and see what is the true bearing Ofitupon
the railroads, for they of all other com
mon-calriers will be most affected by this
legislation. The idea which some have
is that this section, inhibiting a greater
compensation in the aggregate for a
shorter than for longer distance over
the same line, in the same direction, on
like kinds of property, under sub
stantially similar circumstances, the
shorter included in the longer distance,
means that the roads will be allowed to
increase their rates per ton per mile on
the long or through hauls, and charge
just as much, or nearly as much, on the
short or way freights, which would re-
suit in an increase of the latter or in
terterminal charges. Now, will this be
the effect-it certainly is not
the intent-of the law, since
it merely prevents greater sum
in the aggregate being received for a
shorter distance than for longer. For
instance, the Richmond and Danville
Company cannot take produce-say
cotton-from Atlanta, Georgia, to Bal
timore, at the rate, for example, of two
cents per ton per mile, and charge the
shipper from Charlotte, n. c., to Rich
mond at the rate of four cents per ton
per mile, which would be violation of
the law laid down in the fourth section,
in that it would amount to a greater
sum IN the aggregate, because, for in
stance, one hundred bales ut the Char
lotte rate would, We will say, be twice
as much for about half the distance.
Again, the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
way system may not carry shipment
of tobacco from Louisville. Kentucky,
to New York at the rate OF one dollar
per hoeshead, and on the samo trip or
train take on at Mount Sterling,
Kentucky, or other intermediate points
a lot of the same article to be trans
ported to this city or Baltimore at Il
charge which would amount i'll the ag-
gregate to more than the sum of the
charge for the longer distance, or
through freight. The effect Of the law
should be to cheaper the local, or way
charges, and thus operate to increase
shipments to this city instead of their
being shipped through to Baltimore
and other cities north of us, because
the roads can advance their through
rates from competitive points, and thus
save themselves from the loss of such
class of freights which heretofore they
have been making up on local or short
hauls. This can be done, and with
more satisfaction to the roads, since the
law bears upon all common car
riers alike One line can have no
advantage over another except that
natural one of lesser distance
between competitive points, and
to this advantage they are fairly
and Justly entitled. So the nearest
route to deep water from the great Mis-
sissippi Valley, for example, will be the
one benefited in the end, and if that
route is, will not the terminal cities be
likewise? Is there nearer and more
certain highway, take it the year
through, winter and summer, than the
Kentucky and Virginia one, now occu-
pied by the Blississippi-Valley and
Newport News Railway Company? If
such be true, can We fear injury to the
interests of Richmond by reason of de-
creased receipts from the West and
Southwest? viii not the railroads,
which are managed by the shrewdest
businessmen, find way TO make their
property pay, and yet obey the law, in
spite of this shut-oif from their former
methods, which were doubtless ~
unsatisfactory to thom AZ to others !?
Can they not equalize their charges
and do more profitable bust
ness i'll the long run? Surely the
business viii be done in the future as
in the past, no fear that the common
carriers will not continue to move all
the produce which seeks a market at
the seaboard or elsewhere. Besides
the commission created by the bill is
empowered TO relieve, by allowing in
special cases less charge for longer
than for shorter hauls. In truth, the
section liz practically emasculated by
this clause, which relegates the whole
question Of discrimination arising I'M
der the shorter.haul clause 10 the COM
mission. Query: Is not this re-
delegation OF Legislative powers TO the
commission, and that, too, clothing
commissioners with executive as well
as Legislative functions, and il it not,
therefore, unconstitutional? Nothing
is said herein about the oppression OF
the farmers resulting from discrimina-
tons, for the bill is intended 10 cure
that, and it will in time, if not at once.
$50 We suggested long ago, and it is
said Attomey-Genenl Garland took
this ground in the Senate.